New poll reveals what Britons really think about small boat migrants

The majority of Brits believe the Royal Navy should be involved in stopping small migrant boats crossing the English Channel, a new poll has revealed. Almost seven in ten (69%) of respondents were for the Navy being involved, while 18% said it should not.

The response will likely be welcomed by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who has previously suggested the Navy should be used "if it came to it" to stop the small boats crisis. "The ultimate threat is you literally tow the boats back to France," Mr Farage said last month. He added: "Do you think the Royal Marines would worry about doing that? They'd bloody love it."

The poll for The Sunday Times also found that six in ten (61%) Britons did not think France was doing enough to stop the boats, while 12% said France was doing enough and 13% said it wasn't Paris' responsibility.

When asked what they think are the main reasons people decide to board the small boats for the UK, 54% of respondents believed the most likely reason was to access the British welfare system.

The second most popular reason was claims it is easier to be granted asylum in the UK than elsewhere (49%) and because they are fleeing conflict (37%).

Reasons such as wanting to be reunited with family or friends and speaking English so they would find it easiest received considerably less votes - 13% and 12% respectively.

The poll, carried out by the More in Common think tank exclusively for The Sunday Times, asked around 2,100 British adults (excluding Northern Ireland) and took place between July 22 and 24.

A focus group was also held in Plymouth, with Peter, a dockyard manager, describing Britain as a "soft touch" because as "soon as [migrants] land on our shores, they're entitled to healthcare, food and a roof over their head".

He suggested the UK offers more than most other European countries and said the UK needs to "harden our borders" and potentially take advice from the US or Australia.

"Seems harsh, but the country is on its knees," he said.

It comes as more than 23,500 migrants have arrived in the UK after crossing the English Channel so far in 2025, a record for this point in the year.